CATCHING UP

Between work and children there is little time for blog posting.  I love being a mom...the work part I can do without.  Well, it is work being a mom but it's the greatest work on earth.  The other work I am talking about is the survival kind.  We do it cause we have to.

I spent last weekend in Salt Lake with Rakai and Karamea.  It was the weekend of the Salty Streets Flea Market, created by Karamea, and she was immersed in pneumonia.  Rakai and I drove up to help her and stayed til late Sunday night.

This was an interesting place to spend my Sabbath day.  Karamea has chosen to include a different sort of crowd in her circle of influence. She created the Salty Streets Flea Market so they would have someplace to sell their recycled art.  I was surrounded by tatoos, body piercings and crazy hair all day.  Not to mention the flow of people coming from the Gay Pride Festival.  It was a lot to handle but I did it for Karamea.  Sometimes mothers have to step out of their comfort zones.  I love you Karamea.  And I admire that you choose to associate with and accept all kinds of people.  Just remember who you are and allow your inner convictions to touch the souls of everyone.

Two days later I was on my way to Cedar City for the Utah Summer Games.  Ammon, Asa and Hamilton were each scheduled to play.  I was the only parent that could go so I decided to get a room and stay in Cedar.  The alternative would've been enduring 15 games and living out of my car for 4 days.  Not a good option.  I'm feeling really good that I managed to watch a portion of 13 of those games.  I missed two because of scheduling conflicts...which was not my fault since I'm not in charge of the scheduling. This year we came home with 2 bronze medals and 1 gold.  Utah Summer Games...it's become a tradition.  As long as I have boys that play soccer and as long as we are in Utah, we will be at the Utah Summer Games.

One week after Salty Streets Flea Market.  It is a peaceful Sunday morning.  The boys sleep and I am catching up.  Karamea called late last night.  The pneumonia is clearing but she has pluracy as a result of the coughing.  She ended up in the emergency room.  There is nothing worse than feeling helpless when my children are suffering.   


Pneumonia at the Salty Streets Flea Market, 3 medals at the Utah Summer Games...it has been a week of highs and lows.  The sorrows of motherhood are always overshadowed by the joys.           

CHEERISH THE MOMENT

Rakai...Karamea...Isaac...

I spent the weekend with them in Salt Lake...all together...one last time...and then Isaac will be in Berlin, Rakai will be in New Zealand and Karamea will stay in Salt Lake.

Should I be sad or glad...a little of both I think.

We drove up late last week on Thursday night. I made it to Fillmore then Rakai drove the rest of the way. I collapsed into Karamea's bed at 1am with her next to me and the boys on the floor.

Friday morning Karamea had to work. Rakai was with Simp. Isaac and I went to the Salt Lake Temple for a session and we did a few sealings before leaving. It was peaceful, calm and inspirational. Isaac understands how sealings work. It will be wonderful for him if he experiences a family sealing while on his mission.

Friday night we went to eat. That's us waiting...bored...taking silly pictures...waiting...outside the restaurant. They said 20 minutes...ummm it was 45. But the food was yummy so it was worth it. I went back to Karamea's for the bed. The kids went to play.

Saturday...breakfast with the Petty's. Friends from forever ago. Then Karamea to work, Rakai to Park City and Isaac and I went shopping for more missionary stuff. This is expensive.

Sunday...breakfast with Kenton and Cari...the Golden Braid Bookstore...Whole Foods.

We left Karamea standing alone on the sidewalk. It's okay though. We'll see her next weekend for Isaac's farewell.

I love my children!

JOY FILLS MY SOUL

My Mother's Day morning has been spent looking through files of photos. I selected only a few to share in a slide show. These pictures bring joy to my soul and a smile to my face. I am blessed.

Happy Mother's Day to me and to everyone who has a mother.

PERFECTLY PLEASANT

This evening was spent with Rakai. Father's and sons camp out took the boys and their dad away for the evening. Rakai leaves in the morning for Vegas so he chose to stay home.

::Cupcakes from Twenty Five Main::
::Take out from Benja Thai::
::Movies on Hulu::
::A Full Moon::

It has been a perfectly pleasant evening.

Tomorrow will find me at the Cotton Days parade by 8:30am and the Red Rock Music Festival for most of the day. Good friends all through the day.

MATERNITY MEMORIES

March 11, 1984 - After twenty three hours of labor Rakai was born. My first born son. Even after that I kept having babies.

Twelve years later, Asa decided he was done in the womb and wanted an early escape. Life or death he was gettin' out. And near death it was. He arrived by emergency c section, 6 weeks earlier than planned and one day before Rakai's birthday.

Rakai wasn't real happy about it cause he had a "ditch-school-for-a-ski-day" planned with his dad. Needless to say, the happy birthday ski trip was postponed.

Click here to view the birthday celebration slide show.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!